Earlier on this month, the Yomiuri newspaper carried an article about an auto parts manufacturer in Akitakata, Hiroshima, which is being investigated for hiring more foreign "trainees" than allowed by the rules.

On June 22nd a rather unique if small outsourcing company, called Japan Third Party (JTP), listed on the JASDAQ. Although at first glance the business looks like a pretty standard operation, the company is special in that a full 95% of its business comes from foreign technology firms (not end users).

It's a fun time of year for cooking, what with the holidays approaching. Personally, I've been too busy the last year to do much beyond holiday meals and the very basics. But, I'm determine to get back into the good ole daitokoro (kitchen) sometime soon. In the meantime, I'm beefing up on my
Japanese cooking basics.

It's a rare occurrence that Sony Electronics USA's original products make their way back to the shores of the Motherland.